2013
Marble, Stainless steel component
H: 18 x W: 48 x D: 10 in (45,7 x 121,9 x 25,4cm)
The Caesar Bench created by artist Sebastian ErraZuriz was originally named: "Empires will fall, heads will roll". Julius Caesar depicted in the bench was famously remembered for transforming the Roman republic into the Roman Empire, and becoming the first dictator until he was murdered, and his reign toppled. The bench was designed to be exhibited at the Fairchild Gardens. When Sebastian originally saw photographs of the lavish privately owned gardens adorned by sculptures, they reminded him of a tropical version of the luxurious gardens of Versailles, where the rebels entered during the French revolution. Versailles sculptures narrowly escaped being broken down and melted into ammunition to fight the revolution.
The use of Julius Caesar's busts as mere cinder blocks for people to sit on is an almost profane and mundane way to invite the viewer/user to remember that today's empires and leaders will most surely be toppled tomorrow.